Looking to build off of an 80% lower, wondering what manufacturers have the best bang for your buck? I'm most worried about weight in all honesty, having a light,sturdy rifle is very nice :3

whoever is the cheapest. The forged ones are the same across 10 different vendors I have tried. Getting anodized ones is a good idea, if I wasn't flush with raw ones I would get nothing but anodized ones if I wasn't planning on engraving or etching my lowers. 

Last few I got, was through Right to bear arms, they have good prices and quick shipping.

Have tried Colfax and Thunder guns/Daytona Tactical, Colfax is local to me, but honestly the finish/fit/price was better from Thunder Guns. Nice stuff!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The Thunder Guns lowers are marked safe/fire, Colfax is not.

I've used NoDak Spud, Anderson and AR Stoner. NoDak Spud for retro, all the way. Of the other two, I like Anderson. No engraving on theirs and the rear pocket is already milled.

Just had several anodized lowers engraved, because Kalifornia, and the laser cut right through the anodizing, no problems.  Your laser may vary.   But yes, I agree, I would rather buy an anodized lower, unless I was going to paint it a color other than black.

DS Arms and Tactical Machining are my two fav's. 
Both are excellent quality at good prices.

Laser isn't the issue, usually.  It is potentially a problem when people take their lower to a trophy shop or "all things remembered" and have it engraved with a rotary engraver.  Rotary engravers can cause the anodizing to chip out.

This -^ I get all of mine here. Awesome company to deal with!!

ETA Right To Bear